3 Review(s)

The relationship between a parent and child is a unique one. It is also a very complex one which can make or break either of the two. Parents need to listen to their children in order to find out what they lack in being the parents their child expects them to be. Raising a child is a privilege for parents, but making sure not to pass on our own psychological pain and emotional shallowness is something that we shouldn’t pass on to them. Summary of the Book Children are not just the receivers of a parent’s psychological and spiritual behaviour, they also function as the ones to help in the parent’s development. While it may be important for the child to listen to their parents about discipline and behaviour, it is extremely important for parents to listen to the needs of their children as a child is the mirror of a parent's forgotten self. Parents need to have faith and be able to look into this mirror in order to have a proper communion with their children. The only way to improve this relationship is to push aside the know-it-all approach that is more often the path taken by parents, and try to establish a mutual relationship with the child. This not only builds and nurtures the relationship, but also brings in trust and friendship. Once the parents are taken into a state of presence by their children, their pillars of parental ego will come down to build stronger pillars that will empower the parent to child relationship. About Shefali Tsabary Shefali Tsabary is a clinical psychologist and the author of the award-winning book The Conscious Parent. By blending eastern mindfulness with western psychology, her work integrates wisdom from both traditions. Her latest book Out of Control- Why Disciplining Your Child Doesn’t Work and What Will is about how we can create positive changes in families. Dr. Shefali has a private practice in NYC.